The largest school district in Texas has approved an additional $2 million in funding for 200 firearms, ammunition, ballistic plates and shields, for district police officers.
The board of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) held a meeting to decide whether or not they would provide the additional resources to aid police in the event of an active shooter situation,
Superintendent Millard House II supported the funding sayin,
“I think there are very few school districts that are prepared for an active shooter with an automatic weapon…That’s a very different type of perpetrator.”
The funding comes after a mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas resulted in the death of 19 students and two teachers.
According to local media, there were some in the meeting that opposed the funding being used on school security saying the money should go to fill teacher and counselor gaps, saying students are safe if they are interested in school,
“The time is to invest in those community-based alternatives to policing that make students feel connected…Students are safest when they feel connected and have a genuine interest in the classrooms,” said Travis Fife of the Texas Civil Rights Project.
Police Chief Pete Lopez said the additional equipment – which will be purchased immediately – will give him more confidence in their ability to respond properly to an active shooter situation.
